NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

Details

You & Your Family

Saturday, 07 February 2009 05:11

By Eef Armstrong

"My ambition was and still is to do something in Antigua that really makes a difference for people who suffer disabilities." That statement rolled very easily of the lips of Dr Patrick Matthews when asked why he devoted his life  to the NSA (National Stroke Association) clinic in Paynters..

"You see," he continues, "each patient is a unique individual and there are many facets that make them unique. Everyone has abilities and we should strive 100 percent to use those abilities. Just because you can't, for example, walk, doesn't mean you are useless to society.

We at NSA medical centre wish to bring back hope and provide options for disabled people to have a productive future."

Dr Matthews points out that there is a big misconception about the rehabilitation centre. He explains that many people think a visit to the clinic is just about massaging one's neck or back. But according to the specialist, true rehabilitation is about restoring those who are injured, maimed and disabled to the highest degree of functioning possible.

Reverend Aymer, who has been a stroke patient for over a year now, adds, "I am very pleased with my results here at the centre.

My recovery is incremental but definite. I can walk now." He is quick to add that rehab and emergency technician Peter Stoute pushes him to the limit. He notes that compared to the US, where he spent some time in rehab after his stroke in 2006, the treatment here is much more intense.
"I would recommend this clinic any time, and on a scale from 1 to 10 I would give it a 9, just because I do not like to give full marks," he adds laughing. "And so would I," says Ato Lewis, who found himself paralyzed after a car accident. "They push me to the limit here and I enjoy that approach."

Next to the physical treatment offered, NSA also lives up to its name by providing support for those who are disabled. In the past, there used to be monthly meetings for patients and their families, but that formula has been fine tuned to a more regular happening.  Now they can meet daily at NSA because of a new daycare program. From 9 am until 5 pm they get physical therapy, individual therapy and group therapy.

Group and individual counseling is also provided by Dr Jerry Simon, who deals with most medical cases at the clinic.

As for the cost, Dr Matthews says it all depends on what someone can afford. Some people just can't afford any treatment whatsoever, and it would be wrong to send them back onto the street. Unfortunately, that attitude does come with a price. They found themselves with about 40 percent of the patients not able to pay their bills, and because of that the clinic does not make any profit and once even faced bankruptcy.

But it is interesting to see that what comes around goes around. Their generosity did not go unnoticed, and an anonymous benefactor who understood their vision stepped in and bailed them out. Now, they have even been able to expand with a new surgical unit, recovery room, overnight facilities and therapy pool.

"We hope to have that finished by June this year," Dr Matthews says. He admits that he is happy the days of struggle are over.

The help and support of his right hand, Dominique Morgan, doesn't go unnoticed either. For eight years now ,she has proven herself to be a woman of all trades. From working as a rehab technician, to writing reports, to administration and being an allergy testing technician, it seems like nothing is too much for her and she does it all with a smile and a positive attitude. "My work is very satisfying and challenging at the same time," she says.

She elaborates a bit more about the clinic, saying, "A lot of people contribute to the clinic being a success. Scotty is our number one paratrans van driver.  He works for the government and has been dutifully bringing and collecting disabled patients for years.

Then there is Dr Simon (family physician), Dr Evanson (internal medicine), Dr.Wagentrotz (homeopathy), Dr Bekal (surgery) and Dr Bowen (neurosurgery) and Peter Stoute (rehab and emergency technician)."

It is always great to have a vision and to keep expanding on that vision. "We are not done," says Dr Matthews, "until we are a true Caribbean physical rehab centre with emphasis on orthopedic and neurosurgical injuries as well as meeting people's medical and surgical needs.  And add to that an in-house care facility and the vision is complete."

Hits: 7317

31 Comments In This Article   

HEADER   

Good Job

Portia Poolton » 2013-05-13 17:13

Can't wait to see your work for myself Dominique!

0

0

Portia Poolton

---

RE: NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

Günter Felten » 2013-02-10 20:18

Hallo,habe Ihren Bericht im TV gesehen,Sie sind ein großartiger Mensch mit sehr viel Spirit,Wundervo lle Arbeit die Sie tätigen,ganz liebe Grüße ans Team.

2

0

Günter Felten

---

NSA clinic with a heart of gold

Anja Kaufmann » 2013-02-10 09:26

Dear Patrick,

I have just seen a Documentation and it concerns me
as you manage it to help that people
with the funds and capital you have on hand.
I appreciate your work very much ... you did an amazing work!
Thank you for helping so many people who have less money!
Do you need EDV,maybe Computers, Notebooks,Speak ers, a Printer, Nokia Handy DVD_Player, Ventilators, Books.... blankets or anything else ?
I would like to send you something to facilitate your work.
If I had enough money i would help you in a different way...
What is your Adress to send parcels to?
PLEASE let me know: valerie-kaufmannhotmail.com
I wish you and the patients fairness & the best of luck!!!
Have a good day!!!

Anja :)
valerie-kaufmannhotmail.com
Österreich - Tirol -

6

0

Anja Kaufmann

---

volunteer

Dr Michael Fakharani » 2013-02-10 08:38

Dear colleague
Having seen a documentary on german Tv about your work in Antigua, I would like to offer you support either as volunteer for a few weeks every year or by sending you some of my medical equipment from Germany.
As orthopaedic surgeon, I have been volunteering in Togo, Egypt, Indonesia
and several other countries and would be willing to spend my time supporting your work there. I am still active in my hospital, so my time is limited !!
At the moment I would be able to donate a siemens sonoline Ultrasound device which I do not neet any more.
Bite setzten Sie sich mit mir in verbindung
Dr. Michael Fakharani Bemen/Germany
fakharanifeenet.de

5

0

Dr Michael Fakharani

---

RE: NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

Sheila » 2013-02-10 06:23

Dr. Matthews, please send me your email address. I would EVENTUALLY like to send a SMALL donation.

sasheshegmail.com

Best regards
Sheila

3

0

Sheila

---

RE: NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

lioness » 2012-11-21 21:06

it is so great ,you all are beautiful too ..solidarity thats what we need in this world ..You shall love your neighbor as yourself ..blessed love

3

0

lioness

---

hope

lioness » 2012-11-21 21:00

wow !you doing an amazing work ,,you give hope for humanity .i like how you deal with all of these wicked korrupted people !!.great respect .you is a diamond..more love !

4

0

lioness

---

Finanzielle Unterstützung

Nicole » 2012-11-02 08:46

Hallo nochmals,
unsere Mailadresse lautet: n.sandrittergmx.de
Bitte mehr Infos zur Unterstützung zusenden.
Danke und Gruß
Nicole und Frank

3

0

Nicole

---

Finanzielle Unterstützung

Nicole » 2012-11-02 04:27

Hallo Dr. Patrick Matthews,
wir haben gestern den Beitrag im Fernsehen gesehen und würden euch gerne
finanziell Unterstützen. Mich hat dieser Beitrag wirklich beeindruckt. Bitte um Info wie wir euch finanziell Unterstütken können.
Wie ist Ihre Email-Adresse um mit Ihnen Kontakt aufzunehmen ?
Viele Grüße
Nicole und Frank

5

0

Nicole

---

hospitation

Simon » 2012-11-01 15:02

Hey,
auch wir haben schon mehrmals einen Bericht über euch gesehen. Wir haben es vor ein paar Monaten schon einmal probieet euch via e-mail zu kontaktieren. Meine Freundin und ich sind beide Physiotherapeut en in Deutschland und werden ab Juni für 7 monate auf Weltreise gehen. Wir würden gerne unsere Zeit in der Karibik nutzen, um unentgeldlich bei euch zu arbeiten, wenn Bedarf ist.
Wir würden uns sehr über eine Antwort von euch freuen!
physio.nadinegmail.com

Liebe Grüße und nochmal Kompliment für das tolle Projekt

Simon und Nadine

5

0

Simon

---

Perfect

Unentgeltlich Arbeit » 2012-09-21 04:02

Hallo Patrick,

der Bericht auf 3Sat hat mir sehr imponiert.
Ich bin 51 Jahre alt, war selbständig und habe auch schon mehrere Häuser in
Eigenregie gebaut. Würde Ihnen gerne bei den Arbeiten unentgeltlich zur Seite stehen. Kann hier jederzeit z.B. drei Monate weg.

Würde mich über eine baldige Nachricht sehr freuen.

Vielen Dank
Maria

5

0

Unentgeltlich Arbeit

---

Fantatstisch werk

Jack » 2012-09-19 12:58

Hoi patrick,
Ik weet niet of je je nog aan mij herinnert maar we hebben samen Fysiotherapie gestudeerd in Heerlen.
Ik heb net een docu over jouw ziekenhuis gezien. Fantastisch werk wat je daar doet.
Ik wens je veel succes en alles goeds voor de toekomst.

groetjes Jack Geelen

6

0

Jack

---

Finanzielle Unterstützung

Mike Wilhelm » 2012-08-06 08:28

Hallo,
wir haben letzte Woche einen Bericht über Euch und Eure Arbeit gesehen und finden wirklich das man Euch unterstützen muß.
Es gibt viel zu wenige von Euch.
Bitte um eine kurze Info, wie wir euch finanziell etwas unterstützen können.
Das verdient höchsten Respekt... weiter so.
Ich denke jeder Betrag zählt.
Meine email lautet: Mikejoeweb.de
Danke und Gruß
Sabine und Mike

6

0

Mike Wilhelm

---

Med. Masseur und Lymphdrainageth erapeut

Lowell Fox » 2012-07-30 15:46

Hallo!
Ich bin U.S. -Amerikaner, 47 Jahre alt und lebe seit meinem 5-ten Lebensjahr in Deutschland.
Falls ich meinen nächsten Urlaub ( 2013 ) damit verbinden kann euch zu helfen, dann würde ich mich freuen von euch zu hören.
Fachgebiet : Med. Massage, Spezialisiert auf: Med. Lymphdrainage, Rückenschule.
foxlowellyahoo.de

Weiterhin viel Erfolg!!!!!!

5

0

Lowell Fox

---

RE: NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

Shelly » 2012-07-30 10:36

keep up the excellent work!

5

0

Shelly

---

Ergotherapeut/P sychtherapeut/M aschinenbauer/F otograf

olaf bredenfoerder » 2012-07-30 10:26

Hallo

Ich hab wie so einige vor mir einen Bericht gesehen,bin selber viel unterwegs und frage mich wie ich eure Arbeit vileicht ein wenig unterstützen kann.Solllte es etwas zu tun geben,lasst es mich wissen.
LG
Olaf
olafbredenfoerderweb.de

5

0

olaf bredenfoerder

---

RE: NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

Ralf lenk » 2012-07-29 15:42

Hallo Patrick..
Ich möchte euch und deine Arbeit finanziel unterstützen ,ich
weiß wie schwer es ist unterstützung zu bekommen .
Bitte sende mir kontodaten wo ich geld überweisen kann .
Mit freundlichen Gruß
Ralph

7

0

Ralf lenk

---

Physiotherapeut in

Ute Lassek-Habenicht » 2012-07-29 15:28

Hallo,
ich habe gerade einen wunderbaren Bericht über ihre Arbeit in der NSA Klinik gesehen und frage mich wie ich helfen könnte...
Meine e-mail Adresse lautet: lassekt-online.de
ich würde mich freuen von ihnen zu hören.
Viel Kraft für ihre weitere Arbeit...and Good bless you

6

0

Ute Lassek-Habenicht

---

RE: NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

Natalia » 2012-04-30 04:20

Oh my goodness. Persistence finally paid off. Been looking for my old friend Dominique for years. Lst her contact details in 2008. Finally some hope to contact her!!

6

0

Natalia

---

NSA

Island Girl » 2012-03-27 16:23

WOOHOO, GO NSA!!!! You guys keep fixing me up everytime. :^D

10

0

Island Girl

---

my dad

harry matthews » 2012-03-22 14:09

thats my dad

13

0

harry matthews

---

Freiwilliges Arbeiten

Hiranya » 2011-07-04 23:34

Hi Herr Dr Matthews,

Ich bin medical studentin bei London Metropolitan uni und studiere überm sommer bei UHSA medical school auf Antigua.

Ich bin gerade auf Antigua und mache meine module bis 15th August und wollte fragen ob ich ihnen irgendwie unterstützen könnte. Ich würde auch gerne voluntary work machen.

Bitte lassen sie mich wissen wie ich sie unterstützen könnte.

Wie ist ihre email addresse um mit ihnen Kontakt aufzunehmen?

9

0

Hiranya

---

RE: NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

werner gömann » 2010-10-27 01:24

hallo herr doktor,
habe eine bericht im tv gesehen und nun frage ich ,wie man helfen und unterstützen kann.
grüße
werner gömann

13

0

werner gömann

---

contact

nsa » 2010-01-12 22:52

our email is nsacandw.ag
phone 268 462 0631.

have a great day

13

0

nsa

---

email adress

Vanessa » 2010-01-12 09:43

Hi, I´m searching for the contacts to this clinic!
Could anyone please post an email ardess?

Thank you!

And keep up the good work!

5

1

Vanessa

---

Author, Benzo-Wise: A Recovery Companion

V B Frederick » 2009-07-05 03:40

This is wonderful news! You have always been an excellent physiotherapist and it is heart-warming to read of your brilliant work. Please keep up the good work. Vynne

9

0

V B Frederick

---

vraag

Mariëtte Rosenboom » 2009-06-30 07:01

Hallo Patrick,
Klopt het wat ik heb gehoord, zo ja , dan vind ik het toch wel triest.Ik wil het discreet houden, want ik weet niet wie dit allemaal kan lezen, maar alsnog van harte voor jullie allemaal. Zou je zo vriendelijk willen zijn, mij meer te vertellen? Als ik het had geweten had ik afscheid kunnen nemen. Het leven loopt zoals het moet gaan, en inmiddels ben ik ook veel wijzer geworden. Ik hoop iets van je te vernemen, en zou het op prijs stellen de groetjes van mij door te geven aan je moeder, en aan Jaqueline, en Evelien.
Alvast bedankt voor de moeite.
Groetje s, Mariëtte

0

2

Mariëtte Rosenboom

---

groetjes van ons

jolanda » 2009-02-20 04:50

Veel lovende woorden voor jullie ,hoop dat je het nog goed kunt lezen het nederlands.
we zagen dat eindelijk het zh klaar is, en hoe zit het met die verduisteraar bij jullie op het eiland.
Site ziet er goed uit ,zo nu en dan kijken we hoe het is, verder alles rustig nou hier wel,koud bij jullie ook zo te zien veel regen.Doe de gr aan iedereen en tot weerziens greets from jolanda,leon,ti m,djoeni
helmon d

6

0

jolanda

---

Grateful

J » 2009-02-13 06:04

Keep up the good work!!! Your clinic feels like a second home...healing is not only about doctors! A warm and welcoming environment really helps with the healing process.
And this is what we find with you NSA Medical Clinic.

10

0

J

---

My Right Hand

Thank you » 2009-02-10 00:02

Thank you guy's for all your help,
Antigua needs more people like you,

THANK YOU!!!:);D:D

9

0

Thank you

---

RE: NSA; clinic with a heart of gold

Patricia » 2009-02-07 04:21

As one who gets treatment at the NSA clinic quiet often, I would like to praise their devoted team ,
The patience and the smiles that are always welcoming you.
Keep the good work,and thank you for helping so many people not for the cause of profit.:D

11

0

Patricia

---

REFRESH
RSS

Add comment

Name

Title

• < Prev
• Next >